06 November 2019, by: The Popping Crease
Mzansi Super League 2019 Team Preview
The second edition of the Mzansi Super League is almost upon us. Let’s take a look at each team and what they have to offer.
Last season: Finished top of the log and lost in the final
Top batsman: Quinton de Kock (412 runs at 58.85)
Top bowler: Dale Steyn (12 wickets)
Fan favourites, Cape Town Blitz have a solid group talent-wise in, not only Proteas like the legendary Dale Steyn & electrifying Quinton de Kock, but international talent in Pakistani left-arm quick Wahab Riaz and England all-rounder Moeen Ali, and local homegrown talents like hopeful future Protea stars, Janneman Malan and George Linde. With the ever-present Newlands faithful, Cape Town Blitz will be a tough team to beat under Ashwell Prince.
Quinton de Kock (c), Wahab Riaz, Liam Livingstone, Dale Steyn, Sisanda Magala, Anrich Nortje, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Janneman Malan, George Linde, David Bedingham, Vernon Philander, Marques Ackerman, Gregory Mahlokwana, Aviwe Mgijima, Khwezi Gumede and Moeen Ali.
Cape Town Blitz were excited to draft in 24-year-old Mahlokwana for the 2019 MSL as he has the unique ability to bowl both left-arm orthodox and right-arm off-spin. He has great skill and control as he often bowls in the power play and has a great economy of just over 6.5 in T20 cricket.
Last season: Finished third on the log and their eliminator was rained out
Top batsman: Faf du Plessis (318 runs at 53.00)
Top bowler: Tabraiz Shamsi (10 wickets at 6.30)
Loaded with star quality like Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy, Paarl Rocks were given a boost after signing future star Kyle Verryenne, who came in for the injured Aiden Markram and is in good form in the 4 Day Series. Good bowling options such as the wily Ferisco Adams, who impressed in the 2018 edition, and along with their impressive batting talent, they should go far again.
Faf du Plessis (c), Isuru Udana, David Willey, JP Duminy, Tabraiz Shamsi, Hardus Viljoen, Aiden Markram, Kyle Verreynne, Bjorn Fortuin, James Vince, Dwaine Pretorius, Cameron Delport, Sibonelo Makhanya, Henry Davids, Mangaliso Mosehle, Ferisco Adams, Kerwin Mungroo and Thando Ntini.
Having made his T20 debut for South Africa on the recent tour of India, Fortuin is someone who seems to thrive in the T20 format. With excellent control of his left-arm orthodox, the spinner can open the bowling and keep his economy under six.
Last season: Finished fifth (second from bottom)
Top batsman: Gihahn Cloete (330 runs at 33.00)
Top bowler: Lutho Sipamla (16 wickets)
Armed with the mighty AB de Villiers in 2018, the Spartans failed to spark last year, winning a meagre four games. They will need more from their star players as well as the players supporting them as cannot afford to be relying on AB alone. With players like Morne Morkel returning to South Africa after his international retirement, Lungi Ngidi who need game time and the very impressive Corbin Bosch and Lutho Sipamla, the Spartans have the players to make a genuine impact this year.
Heinrich Klaasen (c), AB de Villiers, Tom Curran, Morne Morkel, Lungi Ngidi, Theunis de Bruyn, Roelof van der Merwe, Lutho Sipamla, Pite van Biljon, Tony de Zorzi, Waqar Salamkheil, Dean Elgar, Wiaan Mulder, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Corbin Bosch and Donavon Ferreira.
At 22-years old, de Zorzi has already gained a vast amount of first-class experience. He is an organized left-handed batsman who has clear leadership qualities and that is something to nurture.
Last season: Finished sixth on the log (bottom)
Top batsman: Khaya Zondo (216 runs at 30.85)
Top bowler: Kyle Abbott (10 wickets)
Despite the team being full of star quality in the inaugural edition, Durban Heat had a terrible season last year, finishing bottom of the log, having won only three games. With new coach, Gary Kirsten on board, and heavy hitters Andile Phehlukwayo, David Miller & Ravi Bopara, along with the returning bowling options of Kyle Abbott and Keshav Maharaj, and the new young, quick Marco Jansen, things should start to improve for Durban, as they’ll look to convert all this ‘on paper’ talent into performances on the field.
Dane Vilas (c), Andile Phehlukwayo, Alex Hales, David Miller, Ravi Bopara, Keshav Maharaj, Kyle Abbott, Khaya Zondo, Marco Jansen, Daryn Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee, Malusi Siboto, Prenelan Subrayen, Wihan Lubbe, Shaun von Berg, Robert Frylinck and Wesley Marshall.
Jansen is only 19-years old but already showing signs of serious potential with the bat and ball. Still early in his career, and not having much T20 experience, Jansen already has impressive first-class figures, averaging 20 with the ball and 29 with the bat. He’s definitely one for the future.
Last season: Finished fourth
Top batsman: JJ Smuts (219 runs at 31.28)
Top bowler: Chris Morris (9 wickets)
Coached once again by Eric Simons, the Giants have the advantage of retaining former world number 1 T20 bowler, Imran Tahir. With England World Cup winning opening batsman, Jason Roy and seasoned professionals, Farhaan Behardien, JJ Smuts and Heino Kuhn, together with bowling options of Chris Morris, Beuran Hendricks and the impressive leftie Nandre Burger, they could be a force to contend with in the 2019 edition.
JJ Smuts (c), Imran Tahir, Jason Roy, Chris Morris, Junior Dala, Farhaan Behardien, Beuran Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Onke Nyaku, Ben Dunk, Heino Kuhn, Marco Marais, Grant Thomson, Akhona Mnyaka, Nandre Burger and Dyllan Matthews.
A young up and coming wicket-keeper batsman, 20-year-old Breetzke is quickly showing why he is one to watch, the dynamic right-hander scored three half-centuries in the ongoing 4-day series for the Warriors.
Last season: Champions
Top batsman: Rassie van der Dussen (469 runs at 58.62) and Reeza Hendricks (412 @ 58.85)
Top bowler: Duanne Olivier (20 wickets)
Defending champions, Jozi Stars are seeking back to back MSL success in the 2019 edition. Retaining players Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen, who had incredible seasons last year, the pair are the key men in pursuit of more success. They also have the destructive Chris Gayle in their ranks, they will be hoping for a few Gayle storms this season. With a bowling attack consisting of Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier and hot commodity, Simon Harmer, Jozi will be tough to beat once again.
Temba Bavuma (c), Kagiso Rabada, Chris Gayle, Shoaib Malik, Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Dan Christian, Duanne Olivier, Simon Harmer, Ryan Rickelton, Aaron Phangiso, Lizaad Williams, Sinethemba Qeshile, Nono Pongolo, Eathan Bosch, Delano Potgieter and Dane Paterson.
An exciting young all-rounder, 23-year old Potgieter is proving to be very handy with the bat, averaging well into the 30s in all levels of franchise cricket and having great averages with the ball.
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